Following closely behind the swordsman we make our way towards the village halfway to the village we met with the guards that were rushing towards them for help, they quickly explain that i helped them so they let me through the gates without much problems.

Entering the village i am a bit dissapointed by its state, all the houses were mostly run down and were held together by some sturdy ropes, the streets did not have any stone paths in them and were instead covered in grass while the total population of the village was 11 people.

Of the people in village 6 were soldiers that currently served as guards while the other 5 consisted of the village elder,merchant, alchemist girl and the other two were just living here with no real profession.

While the current lineup was depressing it did not really matter to me, after getting my self familiarized with the village the swordsman decided to take me to the village elder to discuss something.

Walking down the dirt road for a minute or so we soon arrive to the largest house in the village, also the only house made out of stone . Entering the house i look around myself, it was a medium size room with a single fireplace in the room, few chairs a desk and random stuff covering the shelves.

On one of the chairs there was an old man sitting, he was covered in some loose clothes and had a head full of white hair. The moment i entered the roome he looked at me,while he was rather old his eyes were still vigorous and were exuding a certain wisdom.

Not saying anything he just waved his hand towards the chair on the other side of table. Nodding slightly i approach and sit on chair as i look at him, turning his gaze away from me he looks towards the swordsman and finally speaks with a hoarse yet steady voice .

"Would you let us have some privacy?"

Bowing his head slightly he leaves the room leaving two of us alone, finally looking at me he speaks.

"Hmm, awakened undead i heard? Rare...pretty rare these days especially since the flame faded"

Looking towards him with curious eyes i try to speak, but i am suddenly interrupted by him.

"So you probably came here seeking answers to some things, while i can give you some answers i can not guarantee that it will help"

Looking into his eyes with determined eyes i mutter with a hoarse voice.

"Wh..what h..happened...to lead to downfall...of so many?"

Not saying anything he looks at me for a minute with thoughtful gaze, as such i wait for several minutes before he finally speaks.

"I have lived for a long time, i have watched as the kingdom decayed and turned into ashes as merely shadow remains of its former glory, yet the brilliance of the kingdom did not completely fade away. That is a way of fighting against the curse, the terrible curse that engulfed all creatures with souls,"

Seemingly getting lost in memories he  quickly jolts as he goes back to talking.

"Ahh the kingdom fell...the humanity lost to the curse although not completely it is safe to say it is too late for our fate to change, unless the flame is lit once again which i do not know if it even exist, it is a thing of legends. Now enough of that gibberish, the humanity is frail as it is, and not many of us reside still in this cursed land however we can not escape from the shackles of fate as long as the dark still resides inside us."

With the look inside his eyes getting sharp he looks at me.

"Young undead, not all those that have fallen are lost however you might get lost if you let the madness take over you, do not get lost in it. In past i have met few such as yourself that are neither living nor dead most of them were sane around the time they awaken. But as they absorb more souls they slowly begin losing their sanity before becoming completely mad with sole purpose of obtaining more souls to ease their hunger. Which is why i pray that you will be able to control your fate, while i can not do much to help you i can guide you while you are here so please take this."

Standing up with shaky legs he approaches me as he lays a small piece of wood emitting fragrant smell into my hands.

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"This is a piece of elder wood, it clears mind to those who posses it when you feel that you are about to lose your sanity crush it immediately. It will help you fight the dark inside you, this is my token of gratitude for saving my grand daughter, for now i can not help you more untill you find your true path. There is several abandoned houses in this village of mine you can use them while you are here."

"If you wish to find more answers i recommend that you visit the tower of flame, if you go north for several days on foot you will find it"

Not saying anything more he turns around and goes on the second floor leaving me alone in the room. Looking at the piece of wood in my hand i sigh as i put it in my breast pocket before i leave the house.

Stepping outside i notice that the swordsman was still outside waiting for me, as soon as he notices me he waves his hand at me as he approaches me.

"Haha my friend we have a lot of things to talk about, i never thought there were still just warriors left out there where the hollow reside."

Pulling me towards a house in slightly better state than others he speaks.

"But first lets get you some clothes and a good weapon, a true man must be presentable at all times."

Sighing i follow him into a house belonging to a merchant.

We spend several dozen minutes trying out various Armors and clothes, in the end the merchant let me have some old stuff for free in exchange for saving swordsman's life who was his nephew according to him. Not refusing i quickly put on the clothes and armor.

It was some simple gray clothes that were covered with iron chest Armour that somehow wrapped around my waist all the way up to my shoulder, with simple arm guards that went up to my upper arm. Under the arm guard there was chain mail that was attached around my shoulder and went down to my fingers. Wearing simple hard leather gloves and iron shin and thigh guards, as for the helmet it was a simple knight helmet without visor. The end result was pretty good since most of my body was protected well.

Trying few motions in armor i find that the restriction is minimal and that i only have to cope with the weight which is nothing much to current me, suddenly i am interrupted by the swordsman as he sighs.

"Ahh no good....your weapon is too bad i noticed that in the previous battle you could barely kill them with it! way too dull it is even broken."

Looking down at my spear i do in fact remember that it took a considerable amount of strength to pierce my enemies.

"This time i will buy you a weapon as a thanks for saving my life, but take a good care of it a good weapon is your lifeline"

Not wasting much time he takes a spear and a short sword from the shelves while throwing a small bag to the merchant.

"These are for you, i know that you fight with the spear well but here is a sword as well if something happens so you lose your spear"

Nodding in gratitude i speak with a hoarse voice.

"T..thank you"

"haha small matter we are comrades for now after all, however i have been meaning to ask you for a favor. There is a gate in the forest that i have previously tried to enter with another comrade however he panicked at the last moment and attract ed a huge crowd of monsters. Would you help me get something from there, i promise that it will be a worthwhile trip for you as well, unless we die of course haha"

Seeing that he had a slightly serious tone this time i think about it for a moment before nodding since i was curious about it myself. What would cause several warriors to risk their lives for it?

To seal the deal we shake our hands as he speaks.

"We shall head out tomorrow partner! just the two of us and the world"

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